The Leafs have 4 or 5 good possibilities for defense with the Marlies, clearly being groomed in both the defensive and offensive aspects of the game. So with Phanuef gone (god I hope so) and perhaps a good draft pick for Polak as well we could see our defence as: Reilly, Gardiner, Holzer, Percy, Loov, Granberg or Niilson or Valiet.

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"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few" Sunryn Suzuki

Sure but let's say Franson ends up signing for something pretty reasonable like 4 years and 20 million. Would that be good? Is he worth that? Would we be really jazzed about having Franson on the blue line for the next four years?

Maybe I just never warmed to the guy but I never really saw Franson as a guy who could be a big part of a contending team.

I don't know, it can be tough to get a good read on a player when he's on a team like the Leafs. That said, he makes too many boneheaded giveaways in his own end for my liking, and is kind of slow. I think $5 million per is too expensive for what he brings to the team, especially if the Leafs are really going to tear things down.

That said, it will be very interesting to see how he does on a better team like Nashville. I think that will ultimately play a big role in what kind of contract he is able to get.

I guess we'll soon find out. My guess is that he'll fit in on that team very well.

He might work well as a specialist but I really wonder about how big a part of that team he'll end up being. He's not going to supplant Weber or Josi. Are they going to play him over Jones? Probably not. He'll probably be the #4 defenseman and get some time on the #1 power-play. So that's a fine enough thing to add for a playoff run but if you're signing him to a long-term extension at that kind of money I think you're going to need to get something more.

I guess we'll soon find out. My guess is that he'll fit in on that team very well.

He might work well as a specialist but I really wonder about how big a part of that team he'll end up being. He's not going to supplant Weber or Josi. Are they going to play him over Jones? Probably not. He'll probably be the #4 defenseman and get some time on the #1 power-play. So that's a fine enough thing to add for a playoff run but if you're signing him to a long-term extension at that kind of money I think you're going to need to get something more.

Josi (having a career year) and Weber are on the #1 PP. I doubt Laviolette will mess with that so I'd guess he's #4 or #5 D-man (once Ellis returns) and #2 PP.

The more I think about the trade, it would've been huge to somehow pry Fiala away form them in the deal but I'd guess that Nonis definitely tried (and failed) to include him in the deal.

It's not a sign of much but the HF boards Preds fans were pretty gutted to give up Leipsic and a first for Franson and Santo.

From Lebrun:What made this deal possible is that Nashville was willing to give Toronto the first-round pick that I don't think the Maple Leafs could have gotten had they dealt Franson and Santorelli in separate deals. They might have received a second-round pick plus a prospect, maybe, for Franson, and a second-round pick in a separate Santorelli deal, but highly doubtful a first-round pick would have been in the picture.

By combining the two rental players in one deal, Nonis was able to get his first-round pick.

A 1st round pick for Franson is fair, can't say anything about Leipsic because I haven't seen him play, other than the fact I hope he pans out now that he is a Leaf. If he could become another younger version of Santorelli, I'd take that.

Hopefully there is alot more good trades for the Leafs to come at the deadline & it isn't just the Winnik deal.

I don't think that the Leafs will get anything for Jokinen. He only has 3 goals and is overpaid. He was a salary dump. He could help with the tank though.

Whether the get another or not, he'll be gone as UFA after another 31 games or less. Ultimately, will free up $4.5 million in salary cap space, and potentially more if they were planning to re-sign Franson. Now if they could just move Phaneuf for a similar package and free up some more cap space.

I don't think that the Leafs will get anything for Jokinen. He only has 3 goals and is overpaid. He was a salary dump. He could help with the tank though.

Whether the get another or not, he'll be gone as UFA after another 31 games or less. Ultimately, will free up $4.5 million in salary cap space, and potentially more if they were planning to re-sign Franson. Not if they could just move Phaneuf for a similar package and free up some more cap space.

I don't think that the Leafs will get anything for Jokinen. He only has 3 goals and is overpaid. He was a salary dump. He could help with the tank though.

Whether the get another or not, he'll be gone as UFA after another 31 games or less. Ultimately, will free up $4.5 million in salary cap space, and potentially more if they were planning to re-sign Franson. Not if they could just move Phaneuf for a similar package and free up some more cap space.

I don't think that the Leafs will get anything for Jokinen. He only has 3 goals and is overpaid. He was a salary dump. He could help with the tank though.

Whether the get another or not, he'll be gone as UFA after another 31 games or less. Ultimately, will free up $4.5 million in salary cap space, and potentially more if they were planning to re-sign Franson. Not if they could just move Phaneuf for a similar package and free up some more cap space.

The best part of the season right now...there are only 25 games left.

And it'll be kind of funny to see Jokinen have to skate out the year with the Leafs if he is really upset to join the team.

"Great deal for both teams," said a rival Western Conference team executive via text message Sunday. "Nashville is having one of those seasons where you have to go for it. They bolstered both ends of their lineup with two players [on expiring deals] who are 'coming home' and will be highly motivated after having escaped the circus in Toronto. The Leafs, on the other hand, moved two players whom they couldn't sign for a first-round pick in a very deep draft and a skilled, gritty prospect who typifies the new small forward that can play in the modern game."

The deal was spawned when Nonis stayed behind in Nashville two weeks ago after the Leafs played the Predators.

"Dave stayed for the Anaheim game, we had some talks, we had lunch together, we had talked before then but that allowed us to spend some quality time talking all the parameters and names and possible scenarios," said Poile. "It certainly gave us the foundation to make a deal."